Jones Back

The Dodgers welcomed outfielder, Andruw Jones, to their line-up in yesterday's game against the Houston Astros. Although the fans were pleased by Los Angeles' 10-7 victory, they were not happy about Andruw Jones' ugly performance. The batter could not get on-base, striking out four times in the game.

Jones hit the Disabled-List in May with a knee injury. The new Dodger was batting .165 at the time and many fans were pleased to hear the news that Jones would be out of the line-up. The Dodgers finally had an opportunity to start Andre Ethier, Juan Pierre, and Matt Kemp simultaneously in the outfield as the fans desired.

Joe Torre passed of his slugger's pitiful performance by saying that, "He's rehabbing right now." Since Torre's days in the Big Apple, he has always established a fair ground with his players built around mutual respect. The last thing the veteran manager wanted to do was to say something negative to the press that would send the athlete into an even deeper slump.

The former-Brave will get Sunday off. Working two days and getting a day off? This is a schedule that the outfielder could get used to.

Proctor on the DL

The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed relief pitcher, Scott Proctor, on the 15-Day Disabled-List with tendinitis in his right elbow. Proctor will now have an opportunity to rest and freshen up his pitching skills while on the Disabled-List. However, he will probably be done for the 2008 Regular Season.

The 31-year-old is lucky to have a job after his most recent performances. In the 2008 Regular Season thus far, the reliever has posted a pitiful 6.82 ERA. He has not been helping the Los Angeles Dodgers at all this season.

The Dodgers have called up reliever, Brian Falkborg, from Triple-A Las Vegas. The minor-league closer will pitch in the middle-relief role for Los Angeles in 2008. Hopefully, he will more helpful than Scott Proctor out of the bullpen.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are leading the Chicago White Sox, 2-0, in the top of the fourth-inning. Andre Ethier and Russell Martin knocked in runs on singles in the bottom of the first-inning. Send Russell Martin to New York for the 2008 All-Star (and not as a spectator) by clicking this link. I will have more information and analysis on this game tomorrow morning.

Offensive Inconsistency

According to the Los Angeles Daily News, Joe Torre is looking for offensive consistency in the Dodgers' youthful line-up. He taught the organization during Spring Training to execute on scoring opportunities and to make opposing pitchers work on the mound. The Dodgers haven't been doing that recently, resulting in losing 20 out of their last 30 games.

In the Dodgers' recent series against the Cleveland Indians, they left a total of 23 runners-on-base. Los Angeles only scored 10 runs in the entire series. If they were able to capitalize on some of their various scoring-opportunities, they would have probably been able to get more than one win in the three-game series.

Joe Torre said, "There really wasn't a lot of at-bat finnesse to it. That has to change. It has (taken) a long time. We certainly know we're capable of being a better, more consistent offensive team." Hopefully, Joe Torre can change his team's ways and get a win tonight over the White Sox.

Furcal Coming Back Soon

Rafael Furcal said that he expects to return to the Dodgers' line-up sometime before the All-Star Break. The shortstop has been on the Disabled-List since May 6. The bulging disk in his back is almost healed and he seems to be optimistic concerning his return. Joe Torre, however, hinted that the slugger may spend an extensive amount of the time in a rehabilitation assignment. Regardless, he would serve as a better option than Angel Berroa at shortstop - injured or not.

Update: Furcal explains to the LA Times that he will resume swinging a bat sometime next week. Joe Torre commented, "He may be back before the break as far as playing some games. Whether they're for us or not is another question."